Gaming in 2011: Year of the Threequels
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From Mass Effect 3 to Uncharted 3, 2011 is destined to become the year of the threequels. Want to know which great games see their third installment this year? Read on and find out.
Mass Effect 3
In this third installment, it is more than likely that Mass Effect’s excellent blend of choice-driven narrative, space exploration and engaging combat will return. However, with Earth now under threat, who knows what emotions and epic moments will grace us with their presence this time around! Let’s hope for more of those war-torn environments.
Gears of War 3
The Gears are back once again in what is to be the finale in the trilogy. The bloody carnage and overtly masculine characters return but will be joined by a host of new multiplayer features and modes as well as playable female characters. The real question we want answered though is whether Carmine will survive or not. We cannot wait to find out.
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
Ah yes, Mr. Drake. We would not want to miss your presence for another year. Inviting us for a new adventure in 2011, Uncharted 3 will take us across the world with a mix of cover-to-cover shooting and thrilling platforming sections. As usual, another cinematic narrative will have us staring deep into the eyes of its characters and will keep us gasping at their relationships as much as the intense near-fatal events on the journey. The promise of impressive graphics and superb sand animation as we trudge around a desert already has us dribbling.
Deus Ex 3: Human Revolution
A tricky customer! Will Deus Ex 3 live up to what we hope it to be? Positive thinking only please. While Warren Spector is not present, we are still hoping for a return to form for the series. Really more of a prequel, Deus Ex 3 will bring us a choice-driven narrative, bio-mechanical upgrades and a whole load of thought provoking themes. Undoubtedly, a potential masterpiece in the making, we just hope we have waited this long for a good reason.
Diablo 3
If anything has the potential to topple the beast that is Call of Duty: Black Ops, it has to be Diablo III. With the previous release in the series having broken sales records in its day, we’re anxious to see Diablo III prove itself a winner. We have been kept waiting a whole decade for this and we are so hoping to be rewarded. With new classes and revamped gameplay, let us hope the game will offer the same addictive hack ‘n’ slash action as it did before.
Max Payne 3
Dropping the drab city streets of its predecessors, Max Payne 3 takes the noire series into the bright sunshine of São Paulo. We will also be dealing with a much older character than before, so here is hoping that he can still pull of those impressive stunts. Staples of the series such as ‘bullet-time’ dives and the obscurities of Max’s mind are sure to return, but will look better than ever. For fans of third-person shooters, this looks to be a must-buy in 2011.
Resistance 3
Joining a different character a bit later in the time-line, Resistance 3 looks to be the bleakest, yet most exciting title in the series. Stand in line for more dynamic shooting action and even uglier (but graphically superior) chimera to defeat, of course with whatever weapon you can get your hands on. To get a taster, try making your own frag grenades out of tin cans and nails, you may need them in the future!
Bioshock 3 (Bioshock: Infinite)
Taking the steam-punk shooter to new heights quite literally, the next game in the Bioshock series will have us traipsing around the cloud city of Columbia. Our search and rescue of the young Elizabeth will be aided by a grappling hook and the use of vigors (replacing plasmids). A proper chance at freedom in the sky should be possible and we are hoping for a completely enthralling experience once again.
Killzone 3
No doubt one of the most anticipated shooters for 2011, Killzone 3 looks impressive but can it perform under pressure? With Move and 3D capabilities and a range of fresh environments from leafy jungles to snowy wastelands; our eyes are surely in for a treat. On the multiplayer side of things there seem to be many improvements that serves only to further entice us to its charms. The Helghast will not know what hit them!
F.E.A.R. 3
The dread we feel for the impending return of Alma is only equaled by our anticipation for playing F.E.A.R. 3. With incorporated co-op play between Point Man and Paxton Fettel of the first game, we expect this to be the scariest experience we can hope to share with a friend in 2011. With horror film director John Carpenter helping out with the scares, we have prepared by replacing our pants with a healthy supply of diapers.
Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds
Boasting a whole range of fan-favorite characters and impressive move sets, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is aiming to be the best in the series. If you are a fan of the fighting genre then you might not do much better than this in 2011. With a simplified control system, this will surely appeal to the more tactically minded fighters out there. So who is going to challenge us to a dual?
So there you have it! A whole host of hopefully awesome threequels that are scheduled for release in 2011. Why deny a good thing? By bringing us more of what we love, 2011 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipation-full years in gaming so far. With all the new technology of the current generation now blossoming, it is going to be one hell of a year for everyone.
The real question is what games are you most anticipating in 2011? As these are the third in a series, you already have an idea of what to expect and are probably more than willing to hop on the 2011 hype-train that we are driving. All aboard! Tell us what you think in the comments section below.